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Common Council
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September 6, 2005
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWALK, IS HEREBY CALLED AND WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2005 AT 7:00P.M. DST IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT NORWALK CITY HALL, 125 EAST AVENUE, NORWALK, FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES TO WIT:
Mayor Knopp called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. and led the Assembly in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. He called for a moment of silence in honor of the victims and rescue workers of Hurricane Katrina.
I. ROLL
Present: Betsy Bain William Krummel Matthew Miklave (7:25 p.m.) Fred Bondi Richard
McQuaid Douglas Sutton (7:30 p.m.)
Michael Coffey Jeanette Olmstead-Sawyer
Douglas Hempstead Kevin Poruban
Carvin Hilliard
At Roll Call there were nine (9) Councilmembers present and four (4) absent.
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II. ACCEPTANCE OF THE CALL OF THE MEETING
The Call of the Meeting was read by the City Clerk, Pam Stark. There were no objections to the Call of the Meeting.
Mayor Knopp said that everyone was here because of the national tragedy that took place in the Gulf states. Norwalk as part of a statewide response is prepared to grant up to two weeks leave to an individual to participate in disaster relief services for the Red Cross.
Governor Rell has requested that all municipalities participate. She has said that she will allow the same leave for State workers.
At 6:00 p.m. tomorrow evening, Governor Rell will announce the authorization for the State of Connecticut to accept residents from the Gulf states and the plan of how to accept those residents.
An individual from the Health Department who has been trained by the Red Cross has requested leave to go and help with the relief efforts.
Mayor Knopp said that he spoke with Dr. Corda, to be sure that the Norwalk school system will be able to welcome students from the Gulf states. He said that he is sure that there will be many other initiatives, but tonight addresses one part of what is being requested of the City by the Governor.
Mayor Knopp invited Ms. Gail Wall to speak about the experiences her family in Louisiana has encountered. He added that Officer Byington has family living in Louisiana and Ms. Suib has spent a number of years living in Louisiana.
A concert will be held to raise funds for disaster relief. The Norwalk Armory is accepting donations.
Ms. Wall thanked Mayor Knopp and said that New Orleans is a unique city. She said that it is hard to watch this 300 year old city destroyed before your eyes.
Mr. Miklave arrived at 7:25 p.m.
Ms. Wall said that she hopes Norwalk has an evacuation plan in place as well as cell towers. In a situation like this communications is everything. If New Orleans had been better prepared, they may not have lost as many individuals.
Ms. Wall thanked the City of Norwalk for opening their hearts to the evacuees and thanked the Mayor and Common Council for holding this special meeting.
Mayor Knopp recognized Mr. Lee Levy who will be appointed to the Common Council at next Tuesday’s meeting.
III. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There was no public participation.
IV. RESOLUTION APPROVING LEAVE OF ABSENCE POLICY FOR SPECIALIZED DISASTER RELIEF
SERVICES UNDER C.G.S. 7-461a.
** MR. BONDI MOVED THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION:
ANY MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEE OF THE CITY OF NORWALK, WHO IS A CERTIFIED DISASTER SERVICE VOLUNTEER OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS, MAY BE GRANTED A LEAVE NOT TO EXCEED FOURTEEN DAYS IN EACH YEAR TO PARTICIPATE IN SPECIALIZED DISASTER RELIEF SERVICES FOR THE AMERICAN RED CROSS, UPON THE REQUEST OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS, WITHOUT LOSS OF PAY, VACATION TIME, SICK LEAVE OR EARNED OVERTIME ACCUMULATION, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE EMPLOYEE’S DEPARTMENT AND THE MAYOR
** MR. BONDI MADE THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENT TO THE RESOLUTION: MAY BE GRANTED
A LEAVE FOR HURRICANE KATRINA DISASTER RELIEF AND ITS EFFECTS
Mr. Sutton arrived at 7:30 p.m.
Mr. McQuaid asked if this resolution includes Board of Education employees. Mayor Knopp asked Dr. Corda who said that he would check with counsel tomorrow. Mayor Knopp said that the authority is under State Statute.
Ms. Bain suggested that if the resolution does include the Board of Education, that the Superintendent would need to be included in the resolution. Mayor Knopp said that if the Superintendent needs to give his approval, that can be inserted next week as an amendment to the resolution.
Mr. Hempstead thanked the Mayor and Ms. Wall for bringing this issue into the forefront. He said that he has an aunt they are trying to locate. He thanked everyone in advance for stepping forward. Mr. Hempstead asked the name of the Health Department employee. Mayor Knopp said that it was William Mooney.
** THE AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION WAS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
ANY MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEE OF THE CITY OF NORWALK, WHO IS A CERTIFIED DISASTER SERVICE VOLUNTEER OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS, MAY BE GRANTED A LEAVE FOR HURRICANE KATRINA DISASTER RELIEF AND ITS EFFECTS NOT TO EXCEED FOURTEEN DAYS IN EACH YEAR TO PARTICIPATE IN SPECIALIZED DISASTER RELIEF SERVICES FOR THE AMERICAN RED CROSS, UPON THE REQUEST OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS, WITHOUT LOSS OF PAY, VACATION TIME, SICK LEAVE OR EARNED OVERTIME ACCUMULATION, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE EMPLOYEE’S DEPARTMENT AND THE MAYOR
** MOTION AS AMENDED PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
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Mr. Bondi announced that Mr. Hilliard will take over as the Chair of the Finance
Committee
V. ADJOURNMENT
** MR. BONDI MOVED TO ADJOURN
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
The meeting was unanimously adjourned at 7:38 p.m.
ATTEST:_________________________
Pam Stark, City Clerk
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